skip to main content

Cognitive impairment initial assessment — DGM MCQ

Instant feedback + full explanation. One question, done properly.

HardDementiaCognitive impairment initial assessmentDGM

An 82-year-old man attends with 9 months of memory problems and increasing difficulty with cooking. His daughter reports snoring and daytime somnolence. He takes amitriptyline and oxybutynin, TSH is 7.8 mIU/L and B12 is low. What is the most appropriate assessment?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

Reveal the answer and explanation

Correct answer: A — Medication review and reversible-cause screen before specialist diagnosis

Initial dementia assessment should look for reversible or contributing factors such as anticholinergic medicines, B12 deficiency, thyroid disease, depression and sleep disorders. Starting cognitive enhancers before diagnosis is not appropriate. Many older adults have mixed contributors to cognition, so early assessment should be broad and pragmatic.

Reference: NICE NG97